President Bola Tinubu has officially approved the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, a strategic initiative aimed at tackling the pressing challenges within Nigeria’s healthcare human resources. This decision was announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, on his social media platform.
According to Pate, this policy is not merely a reaction to the ongoing departure of healthcare professionals from Nigeria; rather, it represents a comprehensive approach to manage and reverse this trend. The minister emphasized that this landmark policy is designed to transform the management of healthcare human resources across the country.
Pate stated, “This afternoon, HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR @officialABAT, in-Council, approved a landmark policy set to transform healthcare human resource management in Nigeria.” He highlighted that the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration addresses critical issues that have plagued Nigeria’s health sector.
The policy reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to establishing a resilient and robust healthcare system, as noted by Pate. He mentioned that the policy is forward-looking and aims to ensure that healthcare professionals are adequately supported and rewarded for their contributions.
Many Nigerian healthcare workers have been leaving the country in search of better opportunities, which has resulted in increased workloads and extended hours for those who remain. This exodus poses significant challenges to the healthcare system, impacting the quality of care provided to citizens.
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The factors driving this migration include inadequate equipment, worsening insecurity, poor working conditions, and an unsatisfactory salary structure. Addressing these push factors is central to the new policy’s objectives.
The minister also pointed out that the Nigeria Human Health Resource Programme will play a crucial role in this vision. This program aims to establish a framework for regular assessments of working conditions, ensuring that health workers, especially those in rural and underserved areas, receive the recognition and support they deserve.
